Law decriminalizes libel, defamation

Press organizations have said that jail terms for those offenses allowed public figures to retaliate against reporters by threatening to lock them up. Both offenses will now be punishable by fines, and violators can face civil suits.

"Decriminalization is a positive step for Mexican democracy," said Gonzalo Marroquin of the Inter American Press Association. "We hope this step will be taken into account by other leaders in Latin America."